stampede wrestling Archives

Dynamite Kid Death

By Mike Rickard on March 4, 2019 / 2010s, 2018, Most Popular, Unknown Causes / Leave a comment

Dynamite Kid Death – Unknown Causes 1958-2018 (Age 60) Born in Golborne, Lancashire (United Kingdom) on December 5, 1958, Thomas Billington would defy the odds, becoming an innovator in professional wrestling despite his height of 5’8”. Working as the Dynamite Kid, Billington became the toast of Japan where he worked legendary bouts in singles competition. However, Dynamite’s greatest fame came when he teamed with real-life cousin Davey Boy Smith to form the British Bulldogs, the hottest tag team in the WWF in the 1980s. Unfortunately, as bright as Billington’s legacy was in the ring, his out-of-ring reputation was as dark. Sadly, Billington’s high-impact style shortened his career and he spent years confined to a wheelchair. Escaping the Coal Mines Tom Billington’s father Bill worked as a coal miner, with Tom looking to escape the same path via wrestling. Billington trained in England with Ted Betley, beginning his wrestling career in

Lou Thesz Death

By Ryan on October 25, 2016 / 2000s, 2002, Surgery Complications / 1 Comment

Lou Thesz Death – Complications from Heart Surgery 1916-2002 (age 86) Debuting all the way back in 1932, the legendary Lou Thesz enjoyed a five-decade career in professional wrestling. Fans and wrestling historians alike often credit Lou Thesz as one of the best wrestlers of all time. A Wrestling Innovator Thesz spent time with the AWA, NWA, Stampede, among other promotions. He is credited with the creation of many moves which are still used in modern wrestling today, including the German suplex and powerbomb. Surgery Complications Lou Thesz underwent triple bypass surgery on April 9, 2002. Sadly, he wouldn’t make it to the end of April. On April 28, 2002, Thesz died as a result of complications from heart surgery. He was 86. Thesz was cremated, his ashes spread in the Meramec River in St. Louis.

Stu Hart Death

By Ryan on October 23, 2016 / 2000s, 2003, Stroke / 1 Comment

Stu Hart Death – Stroke 1915-2003 (age 88) If there was ever a name to be synonymous with Canadian wrestling, it’s Stu Hart. Father to WWE superstars Bret and Owen Hart, Stu was born in Saskatoon in 1915. In 1948, Stu Hart created the Stampede Wrestling promotion out of Calgary. Stu Hart is not only credited with training his sons, but also other well known Canadian names including Chris Jericho, Edge, Christian, and Chris Benoit. Stu Hart died on October 16, 2003. He had suffered a stroke in the weeks prior, and was also battling diabetes and arthritis. For 2010’s ceremony, Stu Hart was posthumously inducted into his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame. He was inducted by son, Bret Hart. Stu Hart Grave Stu Hart’s memorial is located at Eden Brook Memorial Gardens in Calgary. The plot is located at the Garden of Angels, Structure 88, Niche 1059.

Frenchy Martin Death

By Ryan on October 21, 2016 / 2010s, 2016, Cancer / 2 Comments

Frenchy Martin Death – Bladder Cancer 1947-2016 (age 69) Jean Gagné, best known to WWE wrestling fans as “Frenchy Martin” has passed away. Rick Martel, close friend of Jean Gagné, broke the news this morning, October 21st, 2016. It was learned back in September that the Quebec-native was on hospice care after being diagnosed with bladder cancer a year prior. According to Slam, Gagné, who was quickly approaching his 70s, chose not to aggressively fight his bout with cancer. Frenchy Martin Wrestling Career Frenchy Martin was a fixture in WWE programming throughout the late 80s, most notably managing Canadian strongman, Dino Bravo. Frenchy Martin would occasionally carry a sign to the ring that said “USA is Not Ok” – effectively getting over his heel status as the villainous foreigner. Prior to his run as a manager with the WWE, Jean Gagné spent time in Puerto Rico, and also saw success as a

Mike Shaw Death

By Ryan on December 20, 2015 / 2010, 2010s, Heart Attack / 7 Comments

Mike Shaw Death – Heart Attack 1957-2010 (age 53) While some wrestlers are able to easily find their niche and an in-the-ring persona that attracts fans and enthralls audiences, others struggle to find that ideal way to present themselves. Sometimes it’s due to the product’s bad writing. For these wrestlers, fame remains elusive despite skill and charisma. Such was the case with Mike Shaw, a professional wrestler who went by a number of names during his career including, most notably, Norman the Lunatic in WCW, and Bastion Booger with the WWF. Sadly, Mike Shaw never achieved the notoriety he desired, and even more tragically, the Bastion Booger death story arrived much too early in his life. His undercard status can partly be blamed for bad writing. Shaw was well known as an agile big guy and was trained by Killer Kowalski. Yet, his comic-relief gimmick as a donut eating slob didn’t exactly give him a

Bad News Brown Death

By Ryan on December 6, 2015 / 2000s, 2007, Heart Attack / 5 Comments

Bad News Brown Death – Heart Attack 1943-2007 (age 63) Allen Coage only spent two years in the World Wrestling Federation. But in that short time he managed to catch the attention of fans as the pissed off bad guy, Bad News Brown. Unlike many other heels who would join up with factions, Bad News Brown marched to the beat of his own drum. A true tough guy who wasn’t concerned with making friends. Most notably, Bad News won the Battle Royale at Wrestlemania IV, beating out Ken Patera, Ron Bass, The Hart Foundation, among many others. By 1990, Coage abruptly parted ways with the WWF, wrestling on the independent scene before ultimately retiring from the ring in ’99. Why did Bad News leave the WWF? According to Coage, he was promised he would be given a run as the first African American heavyweight champion. When the storyline didn’t play out, he simply left. Others speculate that Coage may

Davey Boy Smith Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2002, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack, Most Popular / 7 Comments

Davey Boy Smith – Heart Attack 1962-2002 (age 39) Known as The British Bulldog and Davey Boy Smith in the ring, British wrestler David Smith made a name for himself as both an individual and tag team wrestler. He won the NWA Stampede International Tag Team Championship twice with Bruce Hart, the WWF European Championship twice, the WWF Hardcore Championship twice and many other titles over the course of his career. After his personal life spiraled out of control, the wrestler was forced into retirement. Although he had hoped to stage a comeback, the Davey Boy Smith death would occur before he’d ever get the chance. Drug Abuse Starts the Davey Boy Smith Death Story Long before the actual events of the Davey Boy Smith death took place, David was already on the path to die at an early age. In order to add bulk to his 256-pound, 5-foot, 11-inch frame, the

Bertha Faye Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 2000s, 2001, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack, Women / 3 Comments

Bertha Faye – Heart Attack 1961-2001 (age 40) Rhonda Ann Sing grew up around professional wrestling. As a child, she attended Stampede Wrestling events with her mother. During the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, Sing would change the world of the All Japan Women wrestling circuit, competing under the name Monster Ripper. She would later become known as Bertha Faye in the ring of the World Wrestling Federation. Sadly, her career ended quickly, and fans and fellow wrestlers would receive word of the Bertha Faye death news much too soon. 6 years before death: Bertha Faye calls out WWF Women’s Champion, Alundra Blayze (1995) Disappointing Runs in the WWF and WCW Weighing 260 pounds and standing at 5 foot 8 inches tall, Bertha Faye was very different from the other women who competed in the WWF. She stood out immediately when she first appeared on the scene in 1995. Due to her

Junkyard Dog Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 1990s, 1998, Accident, Dead Before 50, Most Popular / 10 Comments

Junkyard Dog Death – Car Accident 1952-1998 (age 45) Sylvester Ritter, known to wrestling fans as the Junkyard Dog, was tragically killed in 1998. Known for wearing a dog collar complete with a heavy silver chain and for his massive 300-pound frame, Junkyard Dog was a beloved wrestler. He first made a name for himself during the 1970s and 80s. Ritter’s athletic career began not with wrestling, but with football. After graduating from Fayetteville State University with a political science degree he ended up attending the Hart family’s wrestling school. Ritter then completely shifted his focus to professional wrestling. Junkyard Dog’s Achievements Over the course of his career, Sylvester Ritter won the Mid-South Wrestling Association Championship 15 times. Later he would become involved with numerous story lines with the WWF and the WCW up until his retirement in 1993. After retirement, the Junkyard Dog continued to contribute to wrestling by appearing at events and serving as

Brian Pillman Death

By Ryan on December 5, 2015 / 1990s, 1997, Dead Before 50, Heart Attack, Most Popular / 11 Comments

Brian Pillman Death – Heart Attack 1962-1997 (age 35) Brian Pillman was an underrated wrestler. Taken much too young, Pillman had runs with virtually every popular wrestling promotion in the late 80s through the mid 90s. In WCW he teamed with a young “Stunning” Steve Austin to form the Hollywood Blonds. By ’96, Pillman hit the WWF. Although his run was cut short due to his death, he was involved in some very memorable storylines, including the infamous “gun incident” in which Pillman is yielding a handgun at his home while waiting for the uninvited arrival of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. At just 35 years old, the Brian Pillman death happened much too soon, leaving the world of wrestling wondering why. This is the Brian Pillman death story. 5 years before his death: “Flyin’” Brian Pillman takes on Shane Douglas on an episode of WCW Saturday Night (October 17, 1992) The Cost

Owen Hart Death

By Ryan on March 1, 2015 / 1990s, 1999, Accident, Dead Before 50, Most Popular / 14 Comments

Owen Hart Death – Blunt force trauma from accidental fall 1965-1999 (age 34) Owen James Hart was a professional wrestler who reached the pinnacle of success before suffering a tragic and public death in the ring. The Owen Hart death remains an infamous black mark on professional wrestling. Owen was Canadian; born on May 7, 1965 in Calgary, Alberta. Hart came from a large family of twelve children. His family was a wrestling family. Hart’s father, Stu, was a Stampede Wrestling promoter and WWE Hall of Famer. His brother Bret also gained fame as a professional wrestler. Owen went on to have a storied career in wrestling that included being the USWA Unified World Heavyweight Champion, twice winning the WWF Intercontinental championship, becoming the victor in 1994’s King of the Ring, and four times winning the WWF World Tag Team Championship. The Owen Hart death cut his promising career short. 6 years before his death:

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